Chapter 59: This Supervisor Qin's identity is no simple matter

The commanding officer of the Luyang Prefecture Black Ice Platform.

He arrived so quickly.

Having changed his clothes and donned a black visor, Zhang Yuan, along with Li Changwei and Chang Ning, boarded the carriage and headed straight into the prefectural city.

By the time they arrived at the entrance of the Wang Family Woodworking Shop, the night lanterns had just been lit; the streets and alleys were already devoid of pedestrians, and most shops had already closed for the night.

This was not Sanyuan Street in the West District, and no one would be strolling around a woodworking shop in the middle of the night.

The three men entered the shop and saw several workers, under the direction of Wang Qinian, moving the woodenware from the main hall to the backyard.

"Careful, be careful! This set of sandalwood cabinets is worth five taels of silver!"

"Slowly, slowly! This five-pedestal cabinet was ordered by the Guo family from the South District; don't break it!"

Wang Qinian rubbed his hands together, his face full of tension.

"Are you no longer in the woodworking business?" Zhang Yuan asked while walking toward the backyard.

"We aren't. The shopkeeper said he wants to convert it into an inn and restaurant," Wang Qinian replied with a look of frustration. As he accompanied Zhang Yuan and Li Changwei further inside, he suddenly remembered something and straightened his clothes.

"Your subordinate, Wang Qinian, greets the Colonel, and greets the two Commanders."

Zhang Yuan gave a light chuckle, reached out to pat Wang Qinian on the shoulder, and continued walking straight ahead.

This attitude allowed Wang Qinian to follow with a wide grin.

In the Luyang Prefecture Black Ice Platform, as long as Colonel Black Tiger didn't treat him coldly, he had nothing to fear.

Whether one was a commanding officer or a secret agent mattered little.

"That must be Manager Qin."

"You two discuss business; I'll go stir up a few dishes."

"I'll be the head chef from now on. Fortunately, I know a thing or two about cooking."

Wang Qinian retreated quite self-consciously, maintaining the professional awareness expected of a secret agent.

Zhang Yuan looked toward the dim courtyard and saw a woman dressed in a blue cloth dress, her hair styled in a bun with a silver hairpin, sitting at a stone table. Beside her stood a woman in a cyan martial robe.

Both women appeared to be in their early twenties.

Their features were not exceptionally striking, but they were pleasant to look at; their attire was dignified, possessing neither the ruggedness of a wandering martial artist nor the affectation of a court lady.

The Great Qin Empire did not forbid women from holding office, but the female officials Zhang Yuan had met previously all carried an air of superiority, as if their eyes grew from their foreheads.

Seeing Zhang Yuan and the burly Li Changwei and Chang Ning arrive, the woman in the martial robe stepped forward to block the stone table.

The woman sitting at the table stood up, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"In the prefectural government, I have long heard of the name 'Black Tiger of Luyang.' I did not expect we would actually have the opportunity to work together."

As the woman in the blue dress spoke, she produced a black iron token and handed a scroll of documents to Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan took the documents, glanced through them, gripped the token, pressed his palm over its hidden engravings, and then nodded. He returned the token and the documents, cupped his hands, and said, "Black Tiger greets Chief Qin."

Qin Yuqing, the commanding officer of the Luyang Prefecture Black Ice Platform, a Rank 6 Chief of the Great Qin Inspectorate.

Qin Yuqing took back the token and the documents, a look of emotion crossing her face as she looked toward Chang Ning and Li Changwei.

"Brothers, I will have to rely on you both in Luyang Prefecture from now on."

The two men responded with solemn expressions, cupping their hands: "Understood."

Li Changwei’s eyes held a hint of excitement. He glanced at Qin Yuqing and said in a low voice, "Rest assured, Sister-in-law. In Luyang Prefecture, we will protect you with our lives."

Beside him, Chang Ning also bowed and said softly, "I also didn't expect that it would be you, Sister-in-law, coming to Luyang Prefecture..."

*Sister-in-law?*

Though Zhang Yuan had questions in his mind, he did not speak.

Qin Yuqing smiled slightly and gestured for Zhang Yuan, Li Changwei, and the others to sit at the stone table.

"Because of the trade matters with Northern Yan, the prefecture has become increasingly attentive. My arrival here is to complete certain tasks."

"The matter regarding the pulleys and iron chains reported by Luyang Prefecture concerns the espionage of the Northern Yan Northern Army; we cannot afford any more mistakes."

"Due to the border trade, Luyang Prefecture has been quite chaotic lately. The prefecture's intention is for our Black Ice Platform to take the lead to ensure the trade routes remain orderly."

"Furthermore, the prefecture has agreed that the Black Cavalry will temporarily remain in Luyang Prefecture, though we will need to handle their wages ourselves."

...

A new official's first act is often to make a grand impression, and the first "fire" had burned down Wang Qinian's woodworking shop.

In Qin Yuqing's view, it was a pity to use such a fine shop for the low-profit woodworking business.

Converting it into a restaurant would not only be more profitable but would also allow for more intelligence gathering.

Currently, the Black Cavalry required the Luyang Black Ice Platform to raise their wages, which was a significant expense.

As for the cases currently being pursued in Luyang Prefecture, one could say Qin Yuqing had arrived to "pluck the fruit."

But such was Wang Qinian's bad luck.

Zhang Yuan remained silent, listening to Qin Yuqing outline the recent task assignments for the Luyang Black Ice Platform.

"In a while, we will also need to make a trip to Fengtian County. When that time comes—"

"Manager, I've prepared a few dishes. Why don't you and the brothers have a bite and try my cooking?"

Not far away, Wang Qinian's voice rang out, interrupting Qin Yuqing.

Qin Yuqing stood up with a smile. "We'll discuss the Fengtian County matter when the time comes. I am also curious to see if Wang Qinian's cooking is actually any good."

"If his cooking is decent, we won't need to hire a professional chef. Since the restaurant is just starting, we should save where we can."

Zhang Yuan had tasted Wang Qinian's cooking before.

Back when Wang Qinian was not yet the commanding officer of the Luyang Black Ice Platform, he used to drag Zhang Yuan and Young Master Tao out to eat, but he would cook everything himself.

With his stingy nature, he was loath to treat Zhang Yuan and Young Master Tao at a restaurant.

That said, the dishes were excellent in both presentation and taste. Qin Yuqing offered a few compliments, causing Wang Qinian's face to glow with pride.

He, Wang Qinian, did have some talent after all.

Zhang Yuan did not drink, so he did not raise his cup when Qin Yuqing offered a toast.

Since Li Changwei and Chang Ning had to leave the city before the curfew, the meal concluded quickly.

After Li Changwei and the others departed, Zhang Yuan also took his leave.

Qin Yuqing had only just arrived in Luyang and was not yet familiar with the surroundings; there was no need for excessive intimacy.

"I heard that Colonel Zhang has already reached the Innate Realm at such a young age, and his combat strength is among the top hundred of the Hero List. I wonder if Qi Yue might have the honor of learning from him?"

As Zhang Yuan was bidding farewell to Qin Yuqing, the woman standing beside her spoke up.

Zhang Yuan did not respond; he simply glanced at Qin Yuqing and turned to walk away.

The woman named Qi Yue raised an eyebrow. Just as she was about to take a step forward, Qin Yuqing reached out and caught her arm.

It wasn't until Zhang Yuan had walked out of the shop and disappeared into the streets that Qin Yuqing turned back, her expression solemn.

"I will report this matter to the prefecture and ask for forgiveness."

This caused Qi Yue to freeze.

*Ask for forgiveness?*

Qin Yuqing turned back toward the courtyard and said in a low voice, "His identity is a secret within the Black Ice Platform. I let you see the files so you would have context, so that when the Princess arrives, you can work together to protect him."

"With your current status, you are not yet qualified to access his secrets."

"He said nothing just now, yet I cannot afford to show no response."

Only then did Qi Yue understand why Qin Yuqing said she must ask for forgiveness.

If she didn't, she wouldn't be able to give Zhang Yuan an explanation.

"Sister-in-law, I only wanted to know his true combat strength. After all, when we deal with the Western Army, there will inevitably be ambushes from Northern Yan. Rumors are unreliable, and he is merely a lowly officer of Luyang Prefecture..." Qi Yue argued softly.

Qin Yuqing stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Qi Yue.

"The Red Scale Army has requested his transfer into the military several times, offering him the rank of Lieutenant General."

"His decision to stay in Luyang Prefecture was his own choice."

"Some of his battle records are beyond even my authority to review."

...

When Zhang Yuan arrived at the Yulin Academy, Young Master Tao was already waiting for him.

"Have you met the new Chief?"

Young Master Tao had a smile on his face.

"This Chief Qin... her identity is quite extraordinary..."